This verse from 2 Chronicles 12:11 is describing a specific consequence of King Rehoboam of Judah weakening the temple in Jerusalem after he abandoned God's law. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"As often as the king entered into Yahweh’s house...": This indicates that whenever King Rehoboam went into the Temple of Yahweh (God) in Jerusalem, a specific procedure would happen.
"...the guard came and bore them...": The "them" refers to the gold shields that King Solomon had made and placed in the Temple (see 1 Kings 10:16-17, 2 Chronicles 9:15-16). Because Shishak, king of Egypt, had plundered the Temple treasures, including these gold shields (2 Chronicles 12:9), King Rehoboam had replaced them with bronze ones (2 Chronicles 12:10). The royal guard, who would normally be symbols of power and protection, now had to carry these (less valuable) bronze shields whenever the king entered the Temple.
"...then brought them back into the guard room.": After the king's visit to the Temple was over, the guards would remove the bronze shields and store them back in the guard room.
In essence, this verse illustrates:
Humiliation and Reduced Glory: The need for the guard to carry and then return the shields highlights the diminished splendor of the Temple. The gold shields were a symbol of Solomon's wealth and devotion to God; their replacement with bronze and the need to transport them like props show the decline in Judah's spiritual and material prosperity.
Loss of Power: It shows that the kingdom was weakened and vulnerable, so much so that even the king's personal symbols were not permanently displayed in the Temple.
A Reminder of Disobedience: The entire scenario serves as a constant, physical reminder of Rehoboam's and Judah's disobedience, which led to Shishak's invasion and the plundering of the Temple.
Superficial Devotion: It could also suggest a superficial show of devotion. The shields were brought out and put on display only when the king was present in the temple, perhaps to maintain appearances rather than out of genuine reverence.
In summary, 2 Chronicles 12:11 is a powerful and concise way to describe the tangible effects of King Rehoboam's unfaithfulness and the degradation of the Temple after the Egyptian invasion. It highlights a decline in spiritual and material wealth.
This verse from 2 Chronicles 12:11 is describing a specific consequence of King Rehoboam of Judah weakening the temple in Jerusalem after he abandoned God's law. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"As often as the king entered into Yahweh’s house...": This indicates that whenever King Rehoboam went into the Temple of Yahweh (God) in Jerusalem, a specific procedure would happen.
"...the guard came and bore them...": The "them" refers to the gold shields that King Solomon had made and placed in the Temple (see 1 Kings 10:16-17, 2 Chronicles 9:15-16). Because Shishak, king of Egypt, had plundered the Temple treasures, including these gold shields (2 Chronicles 12:9), King Rehoboam had replaced them with bronze ones (2 Chronicles 12:10). The royal guard, who would normally be symbols of power and protection, now had to carry these (less valuable) bronze shields whenever the king entered the Temple.
"...then brought them back into the guard room.": After the king's visit to the Temple was over, the guards would remove the bronze shields and store them back in the guard room.
In essence, this verse illustrates:
Humiliation and Reduced Glory: The need for the guard to carry and then return the shields highlights the diminished splendor of the Temple. The gold shields were a symbol of Solomon's wealth and devotion to God; their replacement with bronze and the need to transport them like props show the decline in Judah's spiritual and material prosperity.
Loss of Power: It shows that the kingdom was weakened and vulnerable, so much so that even the king's personal symbols were not permanently displayed in the Temple.
A Reminder of Disobedience: The entire scenario serves as a constant, physical reminder of Rehoboam's and Judah's disobedience, which led to Shishak's invasion and the plundering of the Temple.
Superficial Devotion: It could also suggest a superficial show of devotion. The shields were brought out and put on display only when the king was present in the temple, perhaps to maintain appearances rather than out of genuine reverence.
In summary, 2 Chronicles 12:11 is a powerful and concise way to describe the tangible effects of King Rehoboam's unfaithfulness and the degradation of the Temple after the Egyptian invasion. It highlights a decline in spiritual and material wealth.
